Stepin Fetchit

Stepin Fetchit (May 30, 1902 - November 19, 1985) (real name Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry) was an African-American comic character actor whose name has become synonymous with degrading racial stereotypes in Hollywood movies of the first half of the 20th century. His stage name is a contraction of "step and fetch it", implying his servile persona.

Related Topics:
May 30 - 1902 - November 19 - 1985 - African-American - Comic - Character actor - Stereotype - Hollywood - Movie - 20th century - Stage name

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Perry played comic relief roles in a number of motion pictures, and his character epitomized the black stereotype of a shiftless, lazy servant of low intelligence who bowed and scraped at the feet of white actors at every opportunity.

Related Topics:
Comic relief - Black - White

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Though Perry did not invent this stereotype, his image was used to popularize it, and many black characters in the movies, such as Stymie in the Our Gang comedies, were based upon the image of Stepin Fetchit. Incidentally, Fetchit once guest starred in a 1930 Our Gang comedy, A Tough Winter, which was intended as the pilot film for a Fetchit short subject series from producer Hal Roach that never materialized.

Related Topics:
Black characters in the movies - Stymie - Our Gang - 1930 - Short subject - Hal Roach

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Because of the degrading image of African-Americans portrayed by Stepin Fetchit, Perry's movies are rarely screened today, and they have not seen a wide release on video. Nonetheless, film historians state that he was a talented comedian, and his career was so successful that he is cited as the first black actor to become a millionaire. He did not manage his fortune well, however, and he declared bankruptcy in 1947.

Related Topics:
African-American - Film - Historian - Bankruptcy - 1947

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Perry converted to Islam in the 1960s.

Related Topics:
Islam - 1960s

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